Ohio State and college leaders celebrated Kristin Paulus’ award, L-R: Sue Sutherland, professor of kinesiology and vice chair of administration and curriculum, Department of Human Sciences; Patrick Louchurarn, senior vice provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Research; Paulus; Helen Malone, vice provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Research; Cäzilia Loibl, professor of consumer sciences
Nominations highlight senior lecturer’s strengths
Senior Lecturer Kristin Paulus, with the Fashion and Retail Studies program, received the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer earlier this spring. She was teaching a full classroom of undergraduates in CSFRST 3474: Fashion Forecasting when they were interrupted by a delegation of university and college leaders.
The fifty-plus students and Paulus alike stared in surprise.
Helen Malone vice provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Research, addressed the class and their instructor.
“We’re here to announce that Kristin Paulus has won the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer.”
Delight and amazement lit up Paulus’ face. Students clapped and cheered.
“As I reviewed the nominations, what stood out to me is the impact you have on your students,” Malone said. “You encourage them to excel in the classroom and beyond. As one student wrote, you ‘helped me find a purpose.’”
The provost’s award is one of the highest honors for an instructor or lecturer to receive at Ohio State.
"Kristin is one of those treasured faculty members who not only brings a deep well of industry experience to their passion for teaching and student mentoring,” said Patrick Louchouarn, senior vice provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Research, “but also a boundless, joyful energy to supporting our mission.”
“We are so grateful to have such a dedicated and caring faculty member in Kristin. She makes her program better and prepares our students for the realities of the workforce."
Sue Sutherland, professor of kinesiology and vice chair of administration and curriculum for the Department of Human Sciences, spoke next. ““As you all know in this room, because you’re taking classes from her, Kristin epitomizes the best of teaching at Ohio State,” she said.
“In our department, she is one of the leaders in teaching. She is also part of the inaugural Teaching Academy in our department, because she is so passionate about her teaching. She wants to make a difference. So, thank you, Kristin, for all that you do.”
Paulus dabbed her eyes as she recognized her many faculty colleagues in the delegation, as well as family members who were celebrating her surprise award.
Paulus brought 25+ years of industry experience to program
Since joining the Fashion and Retail Studies program in autumn of 2017, Paulus has leveraged her connections from that experience to bring visibility, innovation and a strategic vision to benefit student development. Her past retail industry experience in product and global business development brings real-world insights resulting in a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
She provides students with what they need to know in the subject areas within the retail industry to include: fashion forecasting, global sourcing, supply chain efficiency, retail math, international business and sustainability.
Paulus said she intentionally creates a collaborative and welcoming class environment, encouraging open discussions and curiosity to inspire students to participate in their education.
With her leadership of the college’s Fashion and Retail Studies Advisory Board, Paulus provides connections that allow students to explore careers through industry mentorships, company tours, an annual career fair, a speaker series, industry networking events and social media connectivity.
She inspires students not only to learn, but also to have their choice of career paths within industry segments that interest them the most, supported by board connections.
Students, fellow faculty express appreciation for Paulus’ teaching
Avani Bhalla, a graduating senior in fashion and retail studies, served as president of the Fashion and Retail Studies Student Ambassador Program for two years, as co-president of the university’s Business of Retail Association for more than three years and has served as a teaching assistant for the course Branding in Fashion, Hospitality and Sport Industries. She nominated Paulus, writing:
“She inspired me with her passion to pursue leadership I didn't realize I was capable of, and her guidance has helped me at every step along my educational and professional journey. …”
“The classroom experience she creates is incredibly … collaborative and welcoming. I never feel uncomfortable sharing a thought or question, and she is great at leading open discussions. Because of her classroom environment, I am able to learn from my classmates and hear varying perspectives on the topic at hand. …
My Ohio State experience would not have been the same without Professor Paulus. She has helped shape the student and leader I have become, and I am forever grateful!
Bhalla has been hired as an assistant merchant in swimwear with Victoria’s Secret and Co.
Kylie Kane, a junior majoring in fashion and retail studies and minoring in business administration, also nominated Paulus.
“Kristin has been my instructor for the Business of Fashion and Retailing as well as Fashion Forecasting. These classes were not only required for my degree, but extremely necessary classes for career preparation.”
“Kristin’s passion throughout the semesters in these classes was made very apparent, with her enthusiasm for both Ohio State’s FRS program in addition to the fashion industry as a whole. She values the connection between foundational textbook knowledge and industry professional experiences.”
“Frequent visits from retail professionals make her classes not only current and exciting, but routinely realistic to real-world connections.”
Alexandra “Alex” Suer, senior lecturer in fashion and retail studies, wrote an in-depth nomination for her colleague. Cazilia Loibl, professor of the Consumer Sciences program and program lead, collaborated with Suer in creating the nomination.
“I have worked with Kristin for eight years in the program,” wrote Suer, “and … I have come to deeply respect and admire her as a teacher, scholar, mentor and most importantly, as a person.”
“Since she began, she has leveraged every connection from her 25+ years of (industry) experience to bring visibility, innovation and a strategic vision to our program area.”
Suer wrote that the program changed once Kristin joined:
“… her addition made a noticeable and measurable impact, especially since she took on the role of director of the Fashion and Retail Studies Advisory Board.”
“I have had the opportunity to see this board completely transform as Kristin established elevated professional meetings … for our industry partners and faculty and created clear annual goals and events, all focused around the student experience.”
Paulus also started a student organization, the Fashion and Retail Studies Student Ambassadors.
“This organization provides approximately 20 students each year with the opportunity to develop their communication, creative and leadership skills,” Suer wrote, “and helps them to build confidence to network with both their peers and local industry members.”
“Kristin’s leadership contributions have resulted in higher industry connectivity, fundraising and the enhancement of experiences for the program and, most importantly, for its students.”
In terms of the classroom experience that Paulus creates, Suer wrote:
“Even with Kristin’s wealth of knowledge, learning is never one sided in her classroom, but a conversation that always goes both ways. Her students bring to the table their own unique experiences, points of view, and their diversity and perspectives are consistently celebrated in Kristin’s classroom.”
“This approach of collective learning and sharing … make for that rich, inviting and memorable experience, and many students have told me it’s (what) they love about Kristin’s classes.”
